The Baby Products Association is pleased to announce the launch of its’ new-look website: www.thebpa.eu

The site has been redesigned as a key resource for the industry, a one-stop-shop for all of your needs. It will be regularly updated with the latest industry news including breaking news from the BPA and its’ members.

Retailers will be able to contact BPA Members through the site, all of which adhere to the highest product and safety standards. You will now be able to find a member based on the types of products they supply, making your purchasing decisions easier.

Visitors to the site will be able to locate BPA Retail members who have demonstrated exemplary levels of customer service. The site will also be regularly updated with information regarding BPA news, show updates and BPA campaigns.

BPA members will be able to access useful resources including:

BPA Yearbook which is also displayed as an industry directory

Access to membership services including discounts on services such as: insurance, business support, legal services and more.

Industry forums to address issues and join discussions

Key industry documents including standards

E-bulletins, sales agent directory, industry reports and much more.

We hope you enjoy the new website and welcome your feedback.

Update on the Revision of the Furniture and Furnishings (Fire) (Safety) Regulations 1988

A statistical report to investigate the effectiveness of the Furniture and Furnishings (Fire) (Safety) Regulations 1988 (FFRs) was undertaken recently by request of the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS.) While the subsequent ‘Greenstreet Berman’ report showed that the FFRs continue to save lives, they have not been amended since their implementation. In 2008, BIS’s informal consultation towards a review of the ‘Guidance to the FFRs,’ produced feedback that totalled over one hundred areas of the Regulations that required further investigation. In view of this report, Ministers approved a new statistical report as the first step towards reviewing the FFRs.

An Advisory Group was established, consisting of experts with an interest in these Regulations including representatives of the Baby Products Association. The group met for the first time on 22nd January 2010 and two further meetings are planned with the aim of providing the Minister with advice on the best way forward for the FFRs. Following Ministerial approval, a public consultation will be published by BIS. After this consultation and assuming that an amendment to the FFRs is agreed, the second phase of consultation will take place, delving into further technical detail regarding changes.

The two consultation periods in the UK will be at least 6 months in total and the necessary notification to the Commission is likely to extend it a further 6 months. It is therefore anticipated that the earliest any amended Regulation will be seen is October 2012.

The BPA is still lobbying for the removal of baby products from the Regulations through both this process and its’ independent Government lobbying activity, continuing to argue that these Regulations cause a barrier to trade between the UK and Europe.

Work continues in response to the issue regarding the voluntary recall in the USA involving finger injuries

In February 2010 there was a meeting of the Working Group that deals with Wheeled Child Conveyances under CEN (European Committee for Standardisation) and the issues surrounding the recent US recalls were discussed. The relevant safety standard addressed by this Working Group; BS EN 1888, is currently being revised. It currently addresses the safety of a child when positioned in the vehicle whilst in use and there are requirements to cover the child releasing the locking mechanisms which could lead to inadvertent folding of the pushchair.

However, it was identified that hazards will still exist during the operation of unfolding or folding of these products by the child’s carer and it is still considered that the carer is in control of unfolding and folding the product. It states that the carer will need to ensure that the child is out of reach during these operations.

There is a proposal for two additional requirements in the product information which will result in new warnings being displayed on the product and also an improvement in the instructions for use.

The Working Group consider that increasing education of the child’s carers is an important approach to the improvement of child safety and recognise that this issue is not only linked to pushchairs but to any folding child-care product and additionally any similar product within the child’s environment, for example: car doors, door hinges, etc.